Four must-try shrove buns in Helsinki this winter
Two Finnair Cabin Crew Members, Madeleine and Arttu, headed to Helsinki downtown to test the hottest treat of the season: shrove buns, or laskiaispulla. This must-have sweet bun with sweet filling is usually only available from January to February, offering taste experience like no other.
Shrove buns, originally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, are a traditional treat that Finns savour year after year. Traditionally, these sweet buns are filled with raspberry or strawberry jam and whipped cream, or sweet almond paste with whipped cream. However, in recent years, some more creative taste combinations, such as pistachio and cream or caramel sauce and cream are also available along with the more traditional ones.
Finnair Cabin Crew Members Madeleine Sabure and Arttu Mikkola tried and rated four different versions of shrove buns in Helsinki.
Helsinki’s oldest café, Ekberg 1852. Image: Madeleine Sabure & Arttu Mikkola
The traditional shrove bun, Ekberg 1852
The oldest bakery and café in Helsinki, Café Ekberg, has found its way to Finns’ heart – and stomach – already for a century and a half ago. Madeleine and Arttu tried its very traditional shrove bun with strawberry jam and whipped cream inside. You cannot really go wrong with this one, and according to Madeleine, the jam was the highlight. Madeleine and Arttu both rated it 9/10.
Image: Madeleine Sabure & Arttu Mikkola
Geisha chocolate bun, Fazer Café
Another traditional café in Finland, Fazer Café serves this year a specialty, Geisha chocolate bun, inspired by their beloved Geisha hazelnut chocolate. In this bun, you’ll find a Geisha paste topped with pink whipped cream. Both our tasters love Fazer’s Geisha chocolate, so they had really high expectations. However, Madeleine found the bun a bit too sweet and rated it 7/10. Arttu agreed but still gave it 8/10.
Image: Madeleine Sabure & Arttu Mikkola
Cinnamon bun with almond paste, Relove
The trendy second-hand store and café Relove has twisted the classic a bit and put the traditional almond paste filling and whipped cream inside of a cinnamon bun, calling it a laskiaispuusti. Arttu is not usually a big fan of the almond paste but was still pleasantly surprised with this one. He rated this bun 6/10, while Madeleine gave it 7/10.
Image: Madeleine Sabure & Arttu Mikkola
Croissant filled with white chocolate and raspberry, Way Bakery Kallio
Lastly, Madeleine and Arttu tried Way Bakery’s creative approach to use croissant instead of a bun. This delicious-looking treat had a raspberry and white chocolate filling. Madeleine praised the filling, while Arttu thought it’s missing the cardamon taste that you always get with a bun. Both agreed that they prefer the traditional bun instead of a croissant. Madeleine rated this version 6,5/10 and Arttu gave it 7/10.
Image: Madeleine Sabure & Arttu Mikkola
Travelling to Helsinki during the winter months? Check out what else to do in Finland’s capital besides search for the best shrove bun.